I'm passionate about video games, been playing since the mid-90's! =) I'm mostly into retro gaming (particularly SNES/SFC games), although I still play some of the newer games from time to time. I believe in the concept of decency and kindness, plus I am a generous, respectful user.

Recent Comments

Obnoxious and condescending-sounding voice-over for this trailer aside, I think it might be harmless and worth a look (if their Kickstarter succeeds, that is). I like Banjo-Kazooie, so why not (especially since one of the systems it might potentially be available for is the Nintendo Wii U)?

... and Alcahest, and Arcana, and New Ghostbusters II, and HyperZone, and Revenge of the Gator, and---

HAL Laboratory is one of my favorite video game companies, and the majority of their library is fun, especially the clay-themed and charming recent title Kirby and the Rainbow Curse which I got to play during the weekend and enjoyed so much, imo Their music is also fantastic in each of their games (especially when Jun Ishikawa and Hirokazu Ando are involved). Happy 35th, HAL!

First of all, the fact that the actual SNES original and not the Game Boy Advance version was released on the Nintendo Wii U Virtual Console is very encouraging; now all we need is to wait for the NTSC rerelease. Guess it was finally settled between Capcom and SquareSoft who truly owned the rights to the Nintendo-16 bit (the Western version): Capcom.

But a 5? Really?? Not everyone is going to sympathize with that score, nor is everyone going to sympathize with your reasoning behind that verdict.

I love Plok (even though I have difficulty beating its Normal mode), and I love the webseries that I've read (I've clicked the link to the site, bookmarked it, and am loving every issue that I've read. Looking forward to the next one).

Supposing they do go through with this (for which probability I'm not entirely positive), you know what Colecovision game would be great for them to re-release (should they get Konami's permission)? Antarctic Adventure. I only played the Famicom version on plug-and-plays (and loved it), though I don't think there's much difference between the two. Another reason for this: it was the only version of the game that saw an American release (that, and its only official PAL release was on the original MSX system), so chances would be likely. But a gamer can dream.

As a gamer who only owns the Super Famicom original TwinBee: Rainbow Bell Adventure, I must apologize to all PAL gamers about the benefits they're missing out on.

Moving past that though, this spin-off is really great! It's got lots of fun gameplay (though the jumping/hovering will have to carefully be implemented as holding on to the B button too much and accidentally letting it go will have you skyrocketing), sweet pastel-toned visuals (with a pretty-looking Aurora Borealis in some segments), lots of secrets, tons of replay value, nice music, and several endings depending on how many of everything you got; I just need to gather two more (hard to find) fairies and then I'll score the best ending, yay!

Not as excellent as Pop'n TwinBee, imo, but it comes close; and even if I wasn't a fan of the series, I would still consider it solid entertainment. It's got the best elements of Sonic the Hedgehog (speed), Bubsy (the lookaround), and Rocket Knight Adventures (rocketry) all rolled into one. My fifth SFC cart that I got in 2012 when I started importing SFC carts, and one of my favorites from 1994.

Still wish it got an American release, but at this point it's very unlikely things will change.

The original Adventure Island (or rather, the NES equivalent of Wonder Boy, without that game's main character) is okay imo but I consider it a much better game than Super Adventure Island, which I considered bland and average. I remember being introduced to this game when I was little when I experienced it on one of my cousins' plug-and-plays with FC and NES games, and it was the first NES title (along with six others) I got when I bought a topright NES console a decade ago.

It's very colorful but it also is very hard; haven't beat the original Adventure Island once. But hey, at least this game doesn't have a grim and depressing story like the hard SFC platformer Xandra no Daibōken: Valkyrie to no Deai does, and I'll take it over that one any day.

Wow, that Wonder Boy in Monster Land box cover sure is .......... awkward, to say the least. The main character looks androgynous and not at all like a male to me, and the perspective is rather unusual.

Pop'n TwinBee, awesome! I have that game on TwinBee Portable for my PSP, and I love it. Now all the Nintendo Wii U Virtual Console needs is a rerelease of TwinBee: Rainbow Bell Adventure (or as it was named in Europe, Pop'n TwinBee: Rainbow Bell Adventures) and we'll be all set with 16-bit TwinBee installments (though I have that one for the Super Famicom, the not "short end of the stick" version). Though I'm not going to hold my breath if that doesn't happen.

It'd be nice if it made its official appearance in the US for the first time (via Wii U Virtual Console), but I'm not going to hold my breath.

And just for the record: the SFC/SNES game is not equal to the Game Boy title by a long stretch. The only reason people keep distinguishing the two is because when the Game Boy installment TwinBee Da!! (the remake of the original TwinBee) was released in Europe (four years after its Japanese debut) it was given the title Pop'n TwinBee, the title of which was used by the SFC/SNES game the previous year. Oh yeah, no way people will construe the Game Boy and SNES title as the same game judging from the same title they share (if they didn't know better). Sorry, it's just one of my gaming pet peeves. It wouldn't really be an issue if not for the fact that both games are in the same series!

Oh, thank God they're using his old design and not the design that they used for Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures (that show and redesign did not work for me personally). Classic design is better anyway, imo, and I'm more fond of that.

@retro_player_22 - this was Capcom's first RPG, and since they weren't experienced localizing lots of dialogue at the time, they had to enlist the help of Ted Woolsey, a SquareSoft employee. It'd be understandable if there was an issue that prevented it from being rereleased (the Game Boy Advance version was made and released by Capcom in America and Europe for the first time). If they've always owned the first Breath of Fire (Westwise, there's no doubt they have full control of it in Japan), then what excuse do they have for nixing the first Breath of Fire in favor of Breath of Fire II back in the time of the Nintendo Wii Virtual Console in the West; the fact that the second game wasn't involved in any way by Square and solely exclusively by Capcom, so they get a free pass there? That's just unfair negligence if that's the case, in the same way that ActRaiser always gets a rerelease while the other five Quintet/Enix games don't receive the same treatment and remain 16-bit exclusive (which should not be the case, the license holders for Quintet are wasting their opportunity by not introducing current gamers to the Gaia trilogy, ActRaiser 2, and Robotrek).

So Square-Enix and Capcom have finally reached an agreement and let Capcom take rein of the first Breath of Fire's license (as back in the '90s it was released in America by Square)? Awesome!

Could care less for Mega Man VII (honestly didn't like this one), though I'm glad that Mega Man X3 is being rereleased in its original 16-bit glory (this one, on the other hand, I actually like). Demon's Crest is a game I would be willing to play (when it comes, and when I get the points).

I only played the Game Boy version of this game which dropped the II in the title and was simply known as Adventure Island. I'm not really big on the series, but I thought it was decent and the better game I've played from the series, and the most fun I've had from the hookmouthed caveman's adventures. IMO it's better than the first NES Adventure Island and a thousand times better than the incredibly bland, unimaginatively average Super Adventure Island on the SNES; the addition of the dinosaur helpers was a really nice touch, and the areas looked rather nice and I liked its theme.

I love Yoshi, he's a great character! Many of the games he's starred in were great and/or fun to play (especially Yoshi's Cookie and Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island), with a few exceptions along the way (Yoshi's Island DS, imo; it's passable at best as a standalone but terrible as a sequel at worst). Still, the good outweigh the bad as far as I'm concerned, and I highly await the arrival of Yoshi's New Island and eventually Yarn Yoshi.

I never played Yoshi's Safari nor Yoshi's Topsy Turvy (I've often heard middling opinions on these two).

If ActRaiser really does get remade, that would be interesting. Personally speaking, though, I would much rather see Quintet's five other Nintendo 16-bit be re-released for the current gaming generation; seriously though, the fact that they haven't been released again once (for different consoles, the Virtual Console service, or as full-blown remakes) just shows complete negligence towards these really good games, imo, and it's a crying shame because they're some of the most memorable titles on the SFC/SNES. ActRaiser's fine, but I think it's the Gaia trilogy's turn (as well as ActRaiser 2 and to a lesser extent Robotrek) to step into the light of today's gaming crowd, and finally be given a chance. Until then, I've got the cartridges to play at home.

After watching video
As one of the users said previously, Alex Kidd did go Turbo. But unlike Turbo in Wreck-It Ralph (which was actually good), this one did it horrendously in my book (there was no context and no subtext, just shallow cameo jobs done in vain at the expense of enjoyment). Zero stars!

I love love loooove importing video games from Japan, particularly the SFC games! It really makes the world a wider place, and it's always fascinating to see what games Western gamers never got to experience, or to see how different the Japanese original version was compared to the Western version (if it got altered or censored). It doesn't matter whether it's filled with Japanese language or not or takes place in a really quirky environment, 'cause in the end I play these games for fun plus they whisk me to their world, making playing Japanese games an out of this world experience for me.

Some of my favorite imported SFC games are Seiken Densetsu 3, Wagyan Paradise, Alcahest (my first SFC cart ever holds a special place in my heart), Final Fantasy V, Ys IV: Mask of the Sun, and of course the all-time classic game that never got released in America but really should (if only Square-Enix would actually listen to the gamers and re-release this Quintet/Enix game for current audiences to play, not unlike certain games that still need re-releases; i.e. SoulBlazer, ActRaiser 2, Illusion of Gaia, Robotrek; but noooo, it's clear to me that the only Quintet/Enix game that Square-Enix feel deserves a re-release barring everything else not giving a damn about them is the originalActRaiser, treating it like it's the most important game developed by Quintet and published by Enix, when all six games should be treated as equally important (regardless of whether some games are better than the other), and they are wrong by doing that! It just infuriates me that Square-Enix had this opportunity for the PAST SIX FREAKIN' YEARS (the year ActRaiser was re-released for the Nintendo Wii Virtual Console), and did not take advantage of it! ... Okay, personal imo rant over; I'm sorry for my outburst, I just needed to get that out of my system The Quintet/Enix titles are important to me, each and everyone of them, and that's why I feel this way; modern gamers should experience these titles) Tenchi Sōzō (Terranigma; I've got mad love for this game, you have no idea).

In the past couple years I've also imported a couple Japanese Game Boy games (one of them being Parodius Da! Shinwa kara Owarai e) and a Japan-exclusive compilation for the PSP (TwinBee Portable).

Importing games is fun fun fun! I've got a Retro Duo which enables me to play Super Famicom games (it beats risking permanent damage to the SNES console if you make a misstep toward modding, which I will never have the heart to do because the console holds a lot of sentimental value to me; but to each their own, different strokes for different folks), and they work just perfectly on there.

I just want to point out that I do like the first ActRaiser, I really do; I just cannot stand its popularity is all (but if people feel the need to praise it so that's fine, I'm okay with that; it's all on them). Also, it was the only Quintet/Enix game to be re-released outside of the SNES; first it was for a modified version for the Nintendo Super System arcade cabinets, then it got a trimmed version made available for a mobile phone, and finally it got re-released for the Wii Virtual Console in 2007. Me, personally, I'm like, "YES! We get it!!! ActRaiser is awesome! Can you give the other games a chance please???" "Because the truth of the matter is, the other five were never given a chance at a proper re-release"

My thoughts on Altered Beast: it has definitely aged a lot, substantially so I might add. It's got some good visuals and sounds for its time, and the faltered sound bytes for "Rise from your grave!" and "Welcome to your doom!" are bad, but they're in the "so bad they're good" quality. However, it doesn't help that the game can feel repetitive and stiff most times, which is a big turn off for most of the people that played it. What also doesn't help this title is that it lacks proper polish, not to mention that many games have come and gone since then (which are for the majority better), which as a result makes it very easy to look at Altered Beast in a negative way. Yeah, I'd be lying if I didn't say I feel this way sometimes, I definitely do; but to give it credit it has left behind a legacy, being one of the first games to be available for Sega's 16-bit power machine (alongside Super Thunder Blade and Space Harrier II, but those two are irrelevant to what I'm talking about).

As one of Sega's first MegaDrive/Genesis games, it's serviceable, nice to play for a few short bursts, and it did pave the way for their 16-bit era (so I respect it in that regard). Buuuuuuuuuuut, looking at this game in 2013 (in twenty-two days 2014), yeah, Altered Beast is at a very huge disadvantage (Sega's completely outdid this game by creating better ones). While I can't say it's terrible (and again, I get where people are coming from), it is a bad game nonetheless (and a tedious one too). But look on the bright side: there is much worse out there than this game.

Pffff, Axelay is overrated; Life Force is where it's at! Still a good game on its own though, to each their own

I've also played the spinoff TwinBee: Rainbow Bell Adventure for the Super Famicom, and while it's not as excellent as Pop'n TwinBee is, it's a really great game imo! I feel bad though that Europe got the version equivalent to that of the short end of the stick, 'cause it deprived them of experiencing the game like it was meant to be experienced. It's really fun, cute, and incredibly charming (I'm currently at 97%, only five more fairies to collect and I'll get the best overall ending!); Sparkster meets Sonic the Hedgehog, as Shiryu once described it in one of his videos. It's quite an apt description if I do say so myself.

Yay, Pop'n TwinBee!!!! IMO, a very excellent cute'em up, which I played on TwinBee Portable for the PSP!

It's the best TwinBee ever imo, which says a lot considering I also played TwinBee Yahho!, which is also excellent!

As for the Game Boy game... it's not the same game as the SNES one. The portable version, TwinBee Da!!, is essentially a remake of the first game (which got a really good remake in TwinBee Portable). The only reason why anyone would consider it to be the same game as the SNES title is because Konami gave it the same title as the 16-bit game when released in Europe. It's a sad, strange set of circumstances, really.

If you had reviewed the Japanese version (via code), I'd bet that you would've given it a much higher score ('cause I looked up that there were various changes made for the worst in the American version). In my opinion, Rushing Beat Ran- Fukusei Toshi (only played the Japanese version) is an incredibly fun beat'em up, an 8 at best!

Now, it's not flawless. Yes, the collision detection is hit and miss when it comes to some of the bosses and a few enemies (but it can be worked around), the character and enemy designs are incredibly goofy, the playable characters have mostly got questionable fashion tastes (seriously, what is Rick Norton even wearing over his jeans, boots or are they elongated socks? And really Kazan, you're a green ninja wearing red shoes? Someone has clearly flunked ninja school), the third stage is a bit long in the tooth, and the plot (if there is one) makes no sense.

Now I will say the things I did like about the game; it feels so refreshing to play the second chapter of the beat'em up series where your characters can rush, and as a result it's faster-paced. I thought it was ingenious how the first three bosses you fight are characters you could've chosen but didn't, that is clever. The comic-book like "crash" and "spak" starbursts (not that they make sense in how they're used) that appear whenever contact is made does give this game personality. Yes, it does have the appearance of a generic beat'em up (in terms of visuals), but I liked the environments and the little touches they had here and there (just check out the reflection of the windowed light in the ground in the gym portion of Stage 3, or how about the Mode 7 arena where you fight evil Kazan). The soundtrack I thought was decent at best, and the final stage's theme is actually my favorite song of the bunch (which is reused in the subsequent game, yay). The gameplay is really good and fleshed out, and because the enemies can be hit even when they're on the ground it makes it a more playable and enjoyable experience for me personally (give this game some credit, it's more fair here than it was in Secret of Mana when it happened there). There is also lots of replay value in terms of difficulty and who the first three bosses you want to be are, and the final villain looks suave (I also got a kick out of those in-between stage intermissions with the Street Fighter II-like profiles and the dialogue). Also, what other beat'em up lets you throw a pair of weights in one stage and (depending on who you choose to play as) kick enemies in the crotch (but only in the Japanese version)?

I do understand why this game gets flak from many, I honestly do. It's one of those games that sadly are a victim of "compare it and hate it" department. For me personally, I love it and treat it as a game on its own! If people hate it, that's fine; different strokes for different folks, to each their own. It's no Streets of Rage 2, but it's 100% better and more fun than Final Fight 2 will ever be in my book (which got the same score here, and I respectfully disagree with this game's 5 that it got but understand why you would've come to that conclusion). The last title in the trilogy Rushing Beat Shura (ironically named The Peace Keepers in the West) is good, in my opinion, but nowhere near as good as this one.

While I enjoy Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong Jr. anytime I play those games on the NES (particularly in the two-in-one cart compilation Donkey Kong Classics), Donkey Kong 3 has always been a title that's rather meh... imo that is.
But I know that this game has got an audience out there (everything has got an audience regardless of how good or bad something is); I'm just not that kind of audience. If there are people that like it out there, then there's great, to each their own.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

That depends. If you wanted to start from the very beginning, I'd suggest trying the original that started it all; but I don't see any harm in having this one (which is technically a remake of the first title, even though it's different structurally and design-wise) be the first game you play in the series, Falchion, as Super Castlevania IV is pretty good. That, or you could try Akumajou Dracula X: Chi no Rondo (which imo is superior), but it's all up to you. You can't go wrong with either choice!

Honestly Super Castlevania IV is an 8 for me, but I still enjoy it whenever I play it. I definitely concur that the Mode 7 is amazing (especially the rotating tunnel section, I mean oh my God, that is very impressive for its time; even now), the music is really excellent, and the controls are good (they lessen the game's difficulty a bit but they're good). I personally find it very manageable and kinda/sorta medium-difficulty-based, but different strokes for different folks I guess. Where else can you fight off a giant bat comprised solely from Dracula's treasures? I also like it when Simon swings from bat rings and moves while crouching, as it adds some freshness to the gameplay.

The only downsides (for me that is) is that the second quest (after the first playthrough) is not as good as the first, the dancing spectres is a complete joke ("Oh look, a human vampire hunter in the castle; let us kill him by dancing and twirling all over him, and possibly use foils or some such weapons from time to time!" It's just embarrassing, that's all), spikes cause instant death (never mind that Konami wanted to add realism to the game by doing that, but as a game it's not exactly fair; if you want the spikes to do that, then have it happen in a way that you can't come back, like a deep pit), Dracula's final form is underwhelming, and unless you're standing on the stairs virtually any time an enemy makes contact with you Simon gets pushed back (which is something of a pet peeve I've always had with the game; it's especially problematic if you happen to stand a few steps from a ledge and you fall back to your death; personally it drives me bonkers).

Aside from those negatives I still like the game a lot, and I still think that it's good To each their own!

@unrandomsam - since it's a direct adaptation from the SNES game with zero changes in it whatsoever, I'm going to say "no". I know that slowdown occurs when I play it on my Nintendo Wii, so I'm pretty sure the same would apply for the Wii U VC as well. But then, a lot of early SNES games had graphic slowdown (so that was understandable; it can offputting a few times but it's not so bad here), but it got better for the console as the years went by (for the most part: coughBrain Lordcough).

@Bliquid - Urban Champion is a game that I've played when I was very little with my cousins (albeit on a plug'n play) and I remember liking it a lot, it's got some charming moments; like whenever a police car comes by both combatants will back up to their corners and act casually. That's funny. Also, it is quite colorful for a brawler. I own it for the Game Boy Advance's e-Reader, and it's not exactly Street Fighter-worthy, and I do acknowledge that compared to all other fighting games out there this one has not aged particularly well. Still, I recognize that it's got off-turning flaws and that it's basic, but I would never bring myself to call it awful. Even if I hadn't experienced it when I was younger, I don't think I would be too hard on it, since God knows there is a lot worse out there. I find it fun to play once in awhile, but just in short bursts. I guess you could call it a guilty pleasure of mine.

Yeah, I'll concede that Clu Clu Land is not for everyone, and it is by no means flawless. Personally I find it fun to play once in awhile, plus I've still got a huge fondness for it since my younger years. I think it's harmless but good (not great), but to each their own.

And hey, look on the bright side: this game did introduce us to the Rupees in The Legend of Zelda